GSA Meeting Rm. 444B

What is the GSA? Student-led organization aiming to unify the UTHSCSA graduate student body Every enrolled graduate student is automatically a GSA member ~ 650 Graduate Students The GSA is governed by officers comprised of student representatives from various programs 3 main facets of the student experience  Academic Environment  Activities  Advocacy

3 Facets Academic Environment – Guidance in choosing mentors/labs to help students progress in their research, writing workshops, career development, Mikiten Research Forum Activities – The GSA sponsors activities for graduate students to enhance student life and to facilitate social interactions. The GSA collaborates with the Student Government Association and other UTHSCSA student organizations

3 Facets (cont) Advocacy – GSA addresses issues that may affect students at UTHSCSA. Big issues (e.g. changes in parking policy, health insurance) that arise are discussed at GSA meetings. GSA collects student feedback and generates resolutions that are brought up at SGA meetings. Additionally, the GSA nominates members to serve as graduate student representatives on various committees of the Health Science Center and The University of Texas System

GSA Officers President – Peter LoCoco Vice-President – Stacey Stahl Treasurer – Mikaela Sifuentes Secretary – Calais Williams Student Ambassador – Elizabeth Fucich

GSA Advisor Teresa Evans, PhD ◦ UTHSCSA Graduate (Neuroscience) ◦ Career Development Coordinator, GSBS Here to facilitate all things “Career and Professional Development” for all trainees! Contact me any time: Office: AAB 108.3

Career Fair Mark your calendars! October 30 th Same day as the Chili Cookoff Opportunity to network and learn about your career options Join the planning committee!

Mikiten Research Forum Student-led research forum Mikiten 2014 had double the turnout than the previous year Join the planning committee!

Social Events Ice cream social 13 th Floor Haunted House Bake sales Group activities Monthly meetings (with food!)

Funding and Presentations Peer to peer aid in funding applications reviews Help with poster design and practice Present your work for your peers Mikiten Forum ◦ FREE Graduate student organized conference in May every year.  Cash prizes for best posters and oral presenters  First years encouraged to participate

What Do Students Want? Zipcar Ombudsperson We are open to input

Student Services Library Counseling services ◦ Free for students. ◦ (210) ◦ Medical Building Rm 101F Office of Student Life ◦ Student Health Insurance  Deborah Chang   Student health clinic University Ombudsperson ◦ What is it? ◦ Bonnie Blankmeyer, Ph.D.  (210) 

F-Troop Linda M. McManus, PhD and Teresa M. Evans, PhD ◦ F-Troop, a hands-on writing workshop targeted to pre- and postdoctoral trainees who are working to prepare an application for an individual NRSA Fellowship (F Awards, including F30, F31, or F32) for submission to the NIH. ◦ ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS (including and especially first years) SHOULD ATTEND! ◦ Meetings are held weekly, on Wednesdays, at 5:00 pm in Room 331.5B in the Medical School (Department of Pathology Conference Room). Meetings are typically 1-2 hours. Light refreshments are provided by the GSBS Dean.

Ideas? We are here as your advocates What are your ideas? What would you like to see change/happen this year? ◦ Anonymous requests can be given to any officer ( , in person, etc) The officers are available 24/7 by

Officer Elections If you would like to add your name or the name of a friend (with their approval) to the list of candidates, please sign up at the end of the meeting A vote will be held for offices with at least 2 nominees

GSA Officers President - The official representative of the GSA. Determine, coordinate, and direct all activities of the GSA. Serve as liaison between graduate students, faculty, and administration. Advise and assist GSBS office. Only members of the GSAC can be elected to the office of president. VP - Share the roles and responsibilities of the President. Be able to fill in during the President's absence. Secretary - Record the minutes of the meetings of the GSA and GSAC and make them available online. Update GSA calendar. Operate the GSA website. Create updates and flyers to distribute to the student body. Treasurer - Keep track of the GSA budget, expenses, and fundraising. Make purchases on the behalf of the GSA. Add authorized vendors to UTHSCSA system. Sign off on reimbursements. Student Ambassador (upcoming)- Coordinate academic and social activities for members of the GSA. Communicate with volunteers for social and fundraising events. Create and maintain the GSA Facebook page. Focus on improving communication between the GSAC and the graduate student population. Program representatives (2) - Represent the needs and concerns of the students within their program. Elected only by students within that program

HSC Gala Student Dance  Gala dinner and student dance are distinct events  Gala attendees are allowed to stay for dance  400 tickets for students to attend dance plus waitlist  Last year, only half attended, so good chance waitlisted tickets will be granted  RSVP will be sent out soon  Register as soon as possible, especially to get to top of waitlist  If you need to cancel RSVP, do so ASAP so waitlisted individuals can get tickets

HSC Gala Student Dance  Grand Hyatt in downtown, 600 E. Market St.  Attire can range from suit and tie to tuxedo for men, and nice dress or cocktail dress for women  No overly revealing dresses as gala patrons will be in attendance  Doors open at 9pm and event ends at 11:30pm  FREE hors d'oeuvre  FREE soda and water  Cash bar

Senior Students Are Here To Help Peter LoCoco (Pharmocology) Rebekah Shean (Physiology) Turner Conrad (Microbiology)

Welcome back!